The Swerve

I never even knew who Azura Skye was, however her performance in this film is beyond powerful. A haunting film to say the least, and a definite must see. Not a feel good film by any means, but that's okay. The Swerve is a film you don't want to avoid.

First, it is NOT, as the one-line synopsis says, about a woman battling insomnia. Yes, it is implied she has insomnia, but she is obviously battling a number of things - mostly the lack of attention and affection she gets from her family. I kept wondering if I liked this movie as I was watching it, but I kept watching, so it had something that held my attention. Perhaps I just kept waiting for something significant to happen. Eventually it does. Performance of the main character in particular was excellent. I'd recommend this only to those who enjoy character studies.

I've never heard of the actors and filmmakers for this movie, so I went into it not expecting much from this B-grade film. Wow, was I surprised.

This is amateur/newb filmmaker Dean Kapsalis first full length feature film debut as writer, editor and director, with only two short films under his belt. This, dear filmmakers, is how it's done!

I really can't stand slow paced films, but this one held my attention throughout, although it could've been a little tighter. The 95 min runtime was just right, and the story well showcased in that timeframe, especially from a filmmaker experienced with just (only two) shorts.

This film embraces its heavy subject matter thru a riveting and troubling psychological drama about the incidental facets of daily life and their devastating impact on those who are struggling with depression, which relentlessly spirals out of control.

Kapsalis' directing was spot on, with excellent random shots intertwined with emotional close-ups, that were portrayed to perfection in the stellar and award worthy performance by Azura Skye. I'm talking a Meryl Streep performance here. Even her hair and make-up made her illness and emotions seem so authentic.

The cinematography and editing were on point. The score was outstanding, very fitting, and evident only were it needed to be - a rarity for a B-grade film, as they are usually overbearing, unfitting and annoying.

I can't wait to see what Kapsalis comes up with next, as he's a filmmaker to keep an eye out for. It's a definite recommend from me, and a well deserved 9/10. To see more of my 1000+ reviews and my reviewing criteria, simply click on my username.

I saw this reviewed elsewhere as 'horror' and 'elevated horror'. It is neither, and thankfully so , as far as the the latter is concerned. I assume because this movie played at the end of Frightfest it has been given that tag. It's important to know this going on, because if you are expecting a horror movie you will be very disappointed.

It is however a very good movie, that providing you can get through the first 15 mins without abandoning it as being more pretentious crap, becomes very watchable and hooks you in.

The main proponents of that are the acting and the direction. The plot itself is pretty silly. Thankfully though, it is a vey watchable movie, albeit exaggerated on reviews as to how harrowing it is.

Holly (Skye) has been living a life of quiet, brooding desperation that only gets worse when a rat infests her home and her mental health takes a serious hit. She starts believing her family is out to get her and that her husband is having an affair all the while she develops a strange obsession with one of her high school students and while having haunting nightmares about causing a deadly car crash.

Did Holly actually cause this crash? Is everyone really out to get her? The Swerve doesn't seem very interested in answering most of these questions, which makes the whole thing seems all the more paranoid and nightmarish. We never leave Holly's side for a second and the whole story is told from her POV, so who knows what's the truth and what's made up?

It's Skye's harrowing performance that keeps one glued to the screen throughout The Swerve. It's one of those rare, surprising performances from an actor whom we didn't know had a performance like this within them.

The Swerve might just be the bleakest movie of the year and, considering the kind of year we've all been having, no one could blame you if you decided to keep this one on the back burner until happier days arrive, but it'll still be waiting and it'll be just as powerful.